Take Home Pay Calculator
Estimate your net income after federal, state, and FICA taxes. See how much you'll actually receive in your paycheck.
Income Information
Your Take Home Pay
Tax Breakdown
Understanding Your Paycheck
Your take home pay is what's left after all taxes and deductions are subtracted from your gross income. The main deductions include:
- Federal Income Tax: Based on your income and filing status using progressive tax brackets
- Social Security Tax: 6.2% of gross income (up to the annual wage base limit)
- Medicare Tax: 1.45% of all gross income
- State Income Tax: Varies by state (0% in states with no income tax)
- Local Income Tax: Some cities and counties impose additional taxes
States With No Income Tax
Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming have no state income tax. New Hampshire only taxes interest and dividend income.
Frequently Asked Questions
Gross pay is your total earnings before any deductions. Net pay (take home pay) is what you actually receive after taxes and other deductions are subtracted from your gross pay.
You can increase take home pay by contributing to pre-tax accounts like 401(k), HSA, or FSA, which reduce your taxable income. Other strategies include adjusting your tax withholdings (if you're getting large refunds) and taking advantage of tax credits and deductions.
FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) tax includes Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%) taxes, totaling 7.65% of your gross income. Your employer matches this amount. Self-employed individuals pay the full 15.3%.
About the Take Home Pay Calculator
Take-home pay is your net pay after all federal, state, and benefit deductions. Understanding the gross-to-net journey helps you budget accurately and decide between job offers in different states.
The Formula
Take-home = Gross salary − Federal tax (graduated brackets) − FICA (7.65% combined: 6.2% SS up to wage base, 1.45% Medicare on all earnings) − State and local tax − Pre-tax deductions (401k, HSA, insurance) − Post-tax deductions (Roth contributions, garnishments).
Worked Example
$100,000 salary, single, federal: Tax ≈ $14,260. FICA: $7,650. No state tax (Texas): $0. 401(k) 10% ($10,000) reduces federal tax by ~$2,200. Net take-home ≈ $70,290/year — about 70%.
Comparing job offers across states
A $120,000 California offer vs $110,000 Texas offer isn't a clear win for California. After CA's 9.3% bracket, the take-home difference shrinks dramatically. Add cost of living and the Texas job often nets better.
Marginal vs effective tax rate
Marginal rate: rate on your next dollar of income (the bracket you're in). Effective rate: total tax ÷ total income. Effective is always lower because brackets are graduated.
HSA: the triple tax advantage
HSA contributions are pre-tax (federal and state in most states), grow tax-free, and withdraw tax-free for qualified medical expenses. If you're eligible (high-deductible health plan), max it — $4,150 individual or $8,300 family in 2025.
Common Mistakes
- Comparing gross salaries across states without adjusting for state tax.
- Not maxing pre-tax accounts. Every dollar saves 20-40% in immediate tax.
- Mistaking marginal rate for effective rate when discussing tax burden.
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of gross is typical take-home?
Roughly 65-75% depending on state, bracket, and deductions.
Is bonus take-home higher or lower than regular pay?
Withholding is flat 22% so a low-bracket person sees less, high-bracket more. Settles at year-end.
This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a licensed professional before making significant financial decisions.